Barcelona fines Airbnb, HomeAway: Barcelona city hall said late last week that it would fine home rental websites Airbnb and HomeAway €600,000 (US$635,000) each for marketing lodgings that lacked permits to host tourists. The city announced in June that it would increase the maximum fine.
Overtime ruling: An injunction from a Texas judge last week halted federal rules that would have expanded overtime pay to more than 4 million U.S. workers. The rule was set to go into effect on Dec. 1.
Read more in the Washington Post
Toronto hotel fee: Toronto’s hotel association is voicing disappointment at a plan by the city’s mayor to charge user fees to hotel rooms and Airbnb rentals. The fees are expected to add about C$20 million to the city’s budget.
Japanese eatery in Trump D.C. space: Nakazawa, a Japanese omakase bar and dining room from chef Daisuke Nakazawa, is slated to open in the Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.’s Old Post Office building next summer. The hotel is embroiled in litigation with chefs José Andrés and Geoffrey Zakarian, who backed out of plans to open restaurants in the hotel after Donald Trump‘s controversial remarks about immigrants at the launch of his presidential bid.
Read more in the Washingtonian
Best Western promotion: Best Western Hotels & Resorts is promoting its brand overhaul by offering loyalty program members a US$10 gift card to use at one of its hotels, every time they stay at a BW hotel from today through January 29, 2017.